380 - Future-Proofing Your Podiatry Practice with David M Frees (Red, Blue, Purple Teaming)
Release Date: 08/15/2025
Podiatry Legends Podcast
In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I sit down with UK podiatrist and clinic owner Jonathan Shearer to discuss how networking and relationship-building have played a major role in growing his practice. Jonathan shares his journey from working in the NHS to building a successful private clinic, along with practical insights into community engagement, collaboration with other health professionals, and why long-term thinking beats short-term marketing tactics. This conversation is ideal for podiatrists and health professionals who want to grow their clinics in a way that feels...
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Alan and Sharon Cawthorne from Podiatry & Gait Clinic in Middlesbrough, UK, didn’t plan their biggest career decisions sitting up late at night, stressing about life. They happened on holidays, in a relaxed environment, often at a beach bar. In this episode, we talk about career change, pricing confidence, investing in technology, reducing burnout, and designing a clinic and lifestyle that feels sustainable long-term. This is a conversation about perspective. About stepping back to move forward. And about why sometimes the most valuable thinking happens when you’re not trying to be...
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In this bonus episode, I share ten practical ways to get more out of conferences and professional events in 2026. With so many events coming up, this is the perfect time to stop treating conferences as something you squeeze in between clinic days and start using them as genuine growth opportunities. I cover everything from how to prepare properly before an event, why being fully present matters more than taking endless notes, and how relationships formed at conferences often deliver more long-term value than the presentations themselves. We also look at why leaving early, working during...
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3D printing is no longer a future concept in podiatry. It’s already reshaping how clinics think about orthotics, turnaround times, and control over their systems. In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I’m joined by returning guest Kieran Carew from , to unpack what’s really happening with 3D printed orthotics inside podiatry clinics. Kieran brings a unique perspective, combining decades of experience in orthotics with a background in engineering and biomechanics. We explore the practical realities of bringing 3D printing in-house, including setup, training, calibration, CAD...
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To celebrate this 400th episode, I’m joined by Andrew Jacobs, an osteopath turned mortgage broker who specialises in working with allied health professionals. Andrew is also the author of Paid Off and Healthy Money, two books written specifically to improve financial literacy among health practitioners. In this episode, we explore why so many podiatrists feel uncomfortable talking about money, despite financial stress being one of the biggest contributors to burnout and career dissatisfaction. Andrew explains how understanding basic financial concepts, such as cash flow, debt, lending...
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In this final episode of my four-part December solo series, I share why traditional goal-setting often fails podiatry business owners and what to do instead. If you’ve ever set goals in December only to forget them by February, you’re not alone. The problem isn’t always motivation; it’s that most goals are too vague, too shallow, or completely disconnected from the real issues holding you back. Rather than chasing surface-level growth targets, I encourage you to shift to problem-first thinking. Because while a goal gives you direction, a problem gives you focus. When you start solving...
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Small Changes that Make A Big Impact As podiatrists, we’re often guilty of letting the week run us, rather than intentionally designing our schedules to work for us. Patients pile in, admin creeps into every gap, and before we know it, another week (or year) has flown by in a blur. In this solo episode, I discuss why so many podiatry business owners feel overworked and scattered, and how a few small changes can transform your weekly rhythm, energy, and impact. The main culprits behind a chaotic week? Overcommitment – Saying yes to everything, leaving no time to breathe Lack of...
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As 2025 winds down, now’s the perfect time to pause and ask yourself one powerful question: Why did I get into podiatry in the first place? In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I invite you to step back from the day-to-day and reconnect with the deeper why behind your work. Because when your podiatry business starts to feel heavy, uninspired, or off-track, it’s rarely a patient problem, staffing issue or business problem; it’s usually a purpose problem. Before You Launch Into 2026... If you rush into the new year without reconnecting to your purpose, you’ll likely...
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Every podiatrist hits a plateau at some point in their career; when growth stalls, motivation dips, and business feels flat. But a plateau isn’t failure; it is feedback. In this short solo episode, I share how to shift your mindset, avoid impulsive changes, and use a plateau as an opportunity to reset, refocus, and rebuild momentum. I also explore three types of plateaus, REVENUE, MOTIVATION & TEAM, and offer strategies to overcome each one. If you’re ready to move from “stuck” to strategic, this one’s for you. Are you looking for a one-on-one business coach? A business owner I...
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In this episode of the Podiatry Legends Podcast, I talk with Paul Macaulay, better known online as Paul the Podiatrist. Paul is a UK-trained musculoskeletal podiatrist now living and practising in Singapore, and over the past three years, he has built an impressive 500,000+ followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. If you’re sitting on the sidelines thinking “social media isn’t for me,” Paul’s story will change the way you look at marketing forever. Content creation isn’t about becoming an influencer; it’s about building trust, attracting ideal patients, and...
info_outlineDavid M Frees returns to the Podiatry Legends Podcast to share a powerful strategic tool borrowed from the military: Red Team, Blue Team, and Purple Team thinking. We discuss how podiatry businesses can use this method to identify vulnerabilities, defend against threats, and uncover growth opportunities – creating a more resilient and profitable practice.
Learn more about Dave's Training at Business Black Ops.
9 Key Takeaways from this Episode:
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The Red Team’s job is to identify vulnerabilities and potential attacks on the business.
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The Blue Team focuses on defending the business and finding growth opportunities.
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Combining both perspectives creates the Purple Team, where the best ideas are integrated.
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Podiatry clinics often fail to review the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
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Anticipating threats prevents panic when challenges arise.
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Inversion thinking helps identify what could destroy your business.
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Opportunities can be just as valuable as threat prevention.
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Having a facilitator improves the quality of Red/Blue Team sessions.
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Documenting scenarios and solutions creates a valuable reference for future challenges.
If you found this episode helpful, share it with another podiatrist or business owner.
And if you’d like guidance on implementing Red Team, Blue Team, Purple Team thinking in your practice, get in touch with me via email at tf@tysonfranklin.com or visit my website tysonfranklin.com. I’d love to help you future-proof your business.
Visit the Podiatry Legends Podcast Website for more detailed show notes.
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